RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Munich Long COVID Registry for Children, Adolescents, and Adults

This study, called the Munich Long COVID Registry (MLC-R), is building a large database to learn more about Long COVID in Germany. We want to understand who gets Long COVID, what their symptoms are like, and how their condition changes over time. This information will help doctors and researchers understand the illness better and design future studies to find effective treatments. Long COVID includes a range of symptoms, like extreme tiredness, trouble concentrating (brain fog), and shortness of breath, which continue for weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection. The study is gathering information on people of all ages who have experienced these long-term effects, even those whose symptoms might be linked to the COVID-19 vaccine. Your involvement could help improve care for others with Long COVID.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Technical University of Munich

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

20 Jul 2022

Estimated completion

20 Jul 2027

Post-COVID Condition

What is this study about?

Many people who get infected with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) recover quickly. However, some continue to experience a range of symptoms for weeks, months, or even longer after their initial illness. This is often called Long COVID, or by doctors, "Post-COVID Condition" (PCC). These symptoms can include feeling extremely tired, having difficulty thinking clearly and remembering things (often called "brain fog"), shortness of breath, and feeling worse after even mild physical or mental activity. These ongoing symptoms can make it hard to do daily tasks, socialise, and generally affect your quality of life. Even if the initial COVID-19 infection was mild, these long-term problems can be very serious for some people.

The Munich Long COVID Registry (MLC-R) is a research project based in Germany that is creating a large, confidential database. The main goal is to collect detailed information from many people of all ages who are experiencing symptoms of Long COVID. By looking at a lot of people, researchers hope to understand who is most likely to get Long COVID, what exactly their symptoms are, how these symptoms change over time, and how different people manage their condition. This information will be incredibly valuable.

Ultimately, collecting this detailed information helps us better understand Long COVID. It provides important clues about what causes these symptoms and allows researchers to identify different types of Long COVID. This knowledge is crucial for planning future clinical trials – studies that test new treatments – so that we can find effective ways to help people living with Long COVID.

Key takeaways

This study collects information about Long COVID from people in Germany.
It aims to understand what causes Long COVID and how it affects people.
The information gathered will help researchers plan future treatment studies.
Open to all ages with confirmed COVID-19 or vaccine-related long-term symptoms.
Participation involves sharing health information and potentially biological samples.

Who may be eligible?

To be part of this study, you'll need to give your written permission, or if you're under 18, a parent or guardian will need to give permission for you.

Also, your past COVID-19 infection or vaccination needs to be confirmed. This could be through a positive PCR test or rapid antigen test, a doctor's diagnosis, or evidence of having antibodies due to infection or vaccination. The study is also looking at people who have long-term symptoms that might be linked to a COVID-19 vaccine.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join. For example, if new medical information suggests your symptoms are definitely due to another health problem, or if you are pregnant, you wouldn't be able to take part. The study wants to make sure that the symptoms they are tracking are clearly related to COVID-19 or the vaccine, and not caused by something else.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have I or my child had a confirmed COVID-19 infection or received a COVID-19 vaccine?
Am I experiencing ongoing symptoms like extreme tiredness, brain fog, or shortness of breath for more than a month?
Are my symptoms not fully explained by another existing health condition?
Am I or the person I represent not pregnant (if applicable)?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, it involves sharing your health information. You will be asked to provide details about your medical history, your experience with COVID-19, and the long-term symptoms you are experiencing. This information is collected through a secure, web-based system.

The study may also ask if you are willing to provide biological samples, such as blood or saliva, for future research. This is optional and aims to help scientists understand the disease at a deeper level. The study is an ongoing registry, meaning it collects information over time, but it does not involve taking new medications, having specific medical procedures, or attending regular clinic visits for the purpose of this study. The total duration of your participation would involve providing your initial information and potentially ongoing updates to help track changes over time.

Potential risks and benefits

A potential benefit of taking part is contributing valuable information that could lead to a better understanding of Long COVID, helping to improve diagnosis and treatment for others in the future. For you personally, there might not be any direct medical benefits. As this is an observational study collecting existing information, there are very few direct risks. The main risk involves the confidential handling of your personal health data, but strict measures are in place to protect your privacy. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC) Children's Hospital, Technical University of Munich & Munich Municipal Hospital
Verified postcode
Munich, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID refers to a range of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after a COVID-19 infection, even if the initial illness was mild.

Who can join this study?

People of all ages in Germany who have experienced long-term symptoms after a confirmed COVID-19 infection or possibly linked to a COVID-19 vaccine, and who meet other specific requirements.

What does taking part involve?

It involves sharing your health information and symptoms securely online. You might also be asked to provide biological samples, but this is optional.

Will I receive new treatment in this study?

No, this study is about collecting information to understand Long COVID better, not about testing new treatments. You won't receive any new medications or treatments through this study.

Is my personal information kept private?

Yes, all your information will be handled with strict confidentiality and stored securely to protect your privacy.

How to find out more

Uta Behrends, Prof. Dr. med.

uta.behrends@tum.de +4989 3068 2632 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.